by Brianna Crandall — October 29, 2010—The California Air Resources Board (ARB) and the British Council recently announced the start of California’s first annual Climate Generation Program, a high school competition challenging students to connect environmental school work with their daily lives.
The competition creates an opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in project management and leadership by requiring them to design and set in place programs that reduce their school’s carbon footprint.
The Climate Generation Program, an outgrowth of the British Council’s Climate Champions program, is underway in a network of 60 countries. Its goal is to encourage young people to engage climate issues at local, national and international levels.
The program is being launched in California and Minnesota. ARB, the lead agency for implementing AB 32, California’s landmark climate change law, is overseeing the state’s competition. In Minnesota, the Will Steger Foundation is responsible for managing the program.
High schools in California and Minnesota are eligible to participate in the 2010-2011 Climate Generation Program. The classroom projects must benefit the school and relate to one or more of the following topic areas: Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy, Water Conservation, Transportation, Purchasing, Facilities, and/or Awareness/Communication (Outreach).
The California Education and the Environment Initiative, a new curriculum comprised of 85 units teaching select Science and History-Social Science academic standards, will be promoted as an important element of the new Climate Generation program.
